Dramatic Poetry

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Dramatic Poetry

• Poetry that uses elements of drama. One or more
  characters speak to other characters, to
  themselves, or to the reader. Dramatic poetry
  typically includes a tense situation or emotional
  conflict.
• Dialogue between characters in a poem.

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The Erl-KingJohann Wolfgang Von Goethe(Dramatic
Poem-Poetry with conversation)

• O who rides by night thro the woodland so wild?
• It is the fond father embracing his child
• And close the boy nestles within his loved arm.
• To hold himself fast, and to keep himself warm.
• O father, see yonder! See yonder! he says
• My boy, upon what dost thou fearfully gaze?
• O, tis the Erl-King with his crown and his
  shroud.
• No, my son, it is but a dark wreath of the
  cloud.,
• (The Erl-King speaks)
• O come and go with me, thou loveliest child
• By many a gay sport shall thy time be beguiled
• My mother keeps for thee full many a fair toy
• And many a fine flower shall she pluck for my
  boy.
• O father, my father, and did you not hear
• The Erl-King whisper so low in my ear?
• Be still, my hearts darlingmy child, be at
  ease,

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The Erl-King page 2

• (Erl-king)
• O wilt thou go with me, thou loveliest boy?
• My daughter shall tend thee with care and with
  joy
• She shall bear thee so lightly thro wet and
  thro wild,
• And press thee, and kiss the, and sing to my
  child
• O father, my father, and saw you not plain
• The Erl-Kings pale daughter glide past thro the
  rain?
• O yes, my loved treasure, I knew it full soon
• It was the gray willow that danced to the moon.
• (Erl-King)
• O come and go with me, no longer delay,
• Or else, silly child, I will drag thee away.
• O father! O father! Now, now, keep your hold,
• The Erl-King has seized mehis grasp is so cold!
• Sore trembled the father he spurrd thro the
  wild,
• Clasping close to his bosom his shuddering child